What kind of father did God intend for you to be? A spiritual leader of the family. When that doesn't happen, it is chaotic, spiritually. Joshua 24:15 But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. What portait would your children paint of you?Paul is painting a model father in1 Thes. 2, ascribing the following five characteristics: Expresses genuine love by saying it and showing itIs transparent, letting the family into his life and letting them know the person he really are. Works hard.Sets a good example, living alife that is holy, righteous, and blamesless. If Christianity isn't working at home, it's not working. No one sees through that quicker than children. Is an encourager and comforterTop ten things a child wants from his/her father:10. He tells me that he loves me.9. He listens to me.8. He lways tell them the truth.7. He has a sense of humor.6. He's always there for me.5. He loves my mother.4. He apologize when he's wrong.3. Speaks boldly about God.2. Puts God first in his life.1. Shows me how to be a Christian.

I Thes. 2: Paul says some personal things that apply to fathers. What is a "good" father in the eyes of the Lord? Dr. Bradley discusses in this two-part series the five attributes pointed out by Paul that fathers need to put into practice.

It's been a stormy springtime, but as we hit summer temperatures this week, we're reminded that storms do pass, and better weather is coming. Isn't that just like God, who promises to never leave us or forsake us? So the Christ-follower's mission is not to avoid the storms, but to rise above them. Easy to say, harder to consistently live out. Gary has preached thousands of sermons, but none more memorable and requested than "Bitter Or Better?" It's been years since Gary has shared this valuable message, but still many remember it and mention it often. It's a reminder we all need, and one you will never forget.The extended forecast? Sunny today, but more storms ahead. So when the oceans rise and thunders roar, will you choose to be bitter...or better?

In our reading of The Story, we've come across plenty of "good guys": Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Joshua to name a few. And we'll encounter plenty of "villains", too: people like Pharaoh, Jezebel, and King Nebuchadnezzar. But now we come to Saul and his complex story: he is anointed as first king over Israel, yet his decisions consistently fail to honor God. As we experience Saul's story, may we be drawn to evaluate our own lives as well.

The circumstances of life caused Naomi to become bitter to the point that she says, "Don't call me Naomi. Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter." If we never deal with our bitterness, it holds the potential to skew our understanding of ourselves and our circumstances. In this lesson, we will look at Naomi's example and what the Scriptures teach us about dealing with our bitterness.